One of the most valuable and fun games to play is all about food, and it's all about choices. Do you ever drop food when you're cooking, and then start saying no automatically or even hurry to race your dog to it? Are you concerned that one of these days, some medication is going to be dropped and you're not going to be fast enough? Then maybe it's time to learn about choices.
Teaching your dog to "leave it" can be a long and arduous process, full of negative "no!" and dragging the dog away from a tasty tidbit. And what's more frustrating than working hard only to slip up once and the dog beats you to the goody? Then you have to start all over again! What if I told you that instead of teaching your dog that getting to the food first is bad, you can teach your dog that paying attention around food is more FUN than trying to steal it?
Your biggest priority during this game is to see the DOG make the choice to leave the food...(No leash prompts or luring food.)
Put food on the ground, making sure the dog knows it's there. If you need to, you can toss it away so they don't grab it when you set it on the ground! The dog must be on a leash when you start this game.
1. Make noises!
Your first goal is to be far enough away that the dog is immediately interested in you when you make strange noises and call to them. If you can count to 5 seconds before you can convince your dog to go with you, then you're too close to the food. DON"T SHOW THEM TOYS OR FOOD! Why? Because they're making a choice, they are not being lured. Check out my post on Choice vs Lure to understand more!
2. Run away!
Move quickly away from the food with excitement. Far enough that the dog isn't looking over his shoulder to see where the food is!
3. Party time!
Reward like crazy, praising and petting. By all means, do give a bonus of a round of tug o war. Add a treat on the end as an after thought. This helps create value for playing and interacting with you rather than teaching them to only behave for the promise of food!
Now it's time to slowly move closer and closer to the food. Make sure they still choose to turn to you immediately when you call to them. Repeat the 3 steps each time. This is called "Layering". We are layering the choices they have made, slowly making it harder while at the same time creating a history and habit of choosing you. Now why does that matter? When they choose you, that moment a dopamine release occurs making them feel happy - They are connecting that feeling to focusing on you! Your value is increasing every time they choose you....and decreasing every time they fail. So staying far enough away is vital to your success.
4. Proof it!
Step 4, you need a helper! Now, you will move close to the food, still upholding the rule that 5 seconds to focus is Too Long! Every time they choose you by giving you eye contact, reward with food. If they go for the food on the ground, have your helper cover it with their foot! After a few successes of them focusing on you, do the 3 steps - Make Noises, Run Away, and Party time!
Don't rush to step 4. If the 3 step isn't valuable to your dog, he will fail miserably!!! Take the time to make yourself irresistible...it's worth it.Take the time for play after every correct choice. Remember that even when they don't get the food, if they go after it they still made that choice. Your value decreases EVERY time they choose the food.
The shorter sessions are actually more beneficial than the long ones...even if your dog can focus for a longer time. Remember to keep sessions short and fun!
